Green on the Go: Earth-friendly travel solutions

In an industry where travel is a regular part of business, we can all practice greener habits by conscientiously seeking sustainable travel solutions. With the summer season upon us, it is a good time to think about how we can decrease our carbon footprints during our business, as well as our personal travel.

Believe it or not, most Earth-friendly travel practices begin before you ever leave your home. First, think about where you will stay. Many hotels are aggressively marketing themselves as green destinations. If possible, choose a place that will assist with your commitment to green practices throughout your stay.

Next, consider your method of transportation. Previously, we have discussed that traveling by car to a relatively close destination, especially if carpooling, results in substantially lower carbon emissions than air travel. Train travel is the next best option, followed by air travel. You may also want to consider purchasing carbon offsets with your airline tickets.

We can all offset the environmental cost of air travel, however, by changing the way we pack. As a self-proclaimed clothes horse, I admit that this is a difficult challenge for me. The goal is to pack light. The less a plane weighs, the less fuel it will use to reach its destination. Opt for a carry-on bag, if possible. When I feel sulky about leaving behind that extra outfit and its matching shoes, I think about the time and hassle I am going to save at the airport by avoiding baggage check.

In addition, pack your own toiletry items in reusable containers. A 300-room hotel here in Las Vegas uses over 150,000 plastic shampoo bottles every year. Imagine how many tons of single-use bottles are sitting in our landfills! Also, remember to pack your reusable water bottle so as not to contribute to the 845 drinking water bottles that end up in our landfills every second.

The U.S. department of Energy estimates that 75 percent of all electricity used to power household electronics is used while they are turned off. Before leaving your home and office, do a quick check to eliminate the use of “phantom power.” Turn off power strips. Unplug items that are not in use, like computers and chargers. It is estimated that if Americans adopted this simple habit, we would collectively save over $100 million per year. Also, set the thermostat at a minimum temperature. Close your shades and window coverings to help insulate your home and office from hot or cold temperatures. This practice can reduce energy usage up to 25 percent.

Remember to stop your mail and newspaper delivery. Sadly, more paper ends up in our nation’s landfills than any other form of waste. Newspaper publishers and post offices generally send all of their undelivered papers and junk mail to legitimate recycling facilities.

If you arrive at your destination having proactively planned a green trip, most of your work is done, but there are still a few more things you can do. Opt for a shuttle service, if available, from the airport to your hotel, rather than hiring a taxi. In the alternative, carpool a taxi and share the expense. Hopefully, you can choose a hotel within walking distance to your show site and avoid renting a car. If you need a rental, ask if a hybrid model is available. They generally go three times as far as a standard car on a single tank of gas.

Be as conscientious about conservation in your hotel as you are at your home and office. Turn off the lights and heating/cooling unit when you leave your room. Unplug charges and adapters. Let cleaning staff know that you would like to reuse towels and sheets to avoid water usage.

Listen, if I can leave those shoes behind for the sake of my carbon footprint, anybody can do this.

Green tip for June:
Enhance your corporate culture by formulating a green travel policy for your organization, outlining action steps like those discussed here. Creating a little positive peer pressure may keep your colleagues from over-packing.